Overview

Europe’s vast and open border region in the East – from Poland and the Balkans to the Urals and the Caucasus – has been the bedrock of some of the most radical transformations and dramatic conflicts that have shaped the modern era. The East European Studies (European Studies) programme of the University of Amsterdam offers you a fascinating, research-oriented journey into the politics and culture of this region in the 20th and 21st centuries.

You will explore the relationship between East and West, popular culture and everyday life and the interplay between power centres and peripheries. You will zoom in on nation-building and conflicts in sub-regions like the Caucasus, Ukraine/Crimea, or the Balkans, and on the relationship between nationalism and political Islam or Christian Orthodoxy.

Eastern European Studies at the UvA

Founded in 1948, the Master's programme now welcomes students from around the world and offers a unique opportunity for rigorous interdisciplinary training in East European studies:

Explore political and cultural complexities of the region while following a comprehensive curriculum, combined with staff-led tutorials tailored to your regional and thematic interests.

Benefit from our international staff and its broad interdisciplinary expertise, in the classroom and during individual mentoring for your Master's thesis.

Engage with new, cutting-edge research projects in the field through weekly spotlight seminars with staff members and guest lectures by leading scholars from around the world.

Gain practical experience through an internship in NGOs, academic institutions, or the diplomatic sector.

Live and work at the heart of a truly cosmopolitan capital, and study at one of Europe's top-rated academic institutions.

The programme collaborates with the Dutch institute in St Petersburg and includes a field trip to a capital city of the former Soviet space.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Alternative Modernities

Post-Socialist Puzzles: Europe after 1989

Enlargement and External Relations of the EU

Intimate Politics: Culture and Subjectivity in Soviet and post-Soviet Russia

Envisioning East and West: Travel writing and cultural identities in modern Europe

European Geopolitics

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-08 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-05-15 00:00:00 , EEA/EU
- Apply before 2026-05-15 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-09-08 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-03-01 00:00:00 , International

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

92

Schedule TOEFL®

Credits

60 ECTS

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Disciplines

Area & Cultural Studies European Studies View 63 other Masters in Area & Cultural Studies in Netherlands

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

92

Schedule TOEFL®

Other requirements

General requirements

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in the humanities or social sciences with a minimum of 30 ECTS (equivalent to a full-time semester of academic studies) taken in the field of history, Slavic languages, social or political sciences. For example, this requirement can be met with the UvA minor in East European Studies.

New Master's students should be able to speak, read, write and understand English at an advanced academic level. Please check carefully whether you already meet the English language requirements or whether you need to arrange to take an official English language test.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

25900 EUR / year

≈ 25900 EUR / year
EU/EEA Applies to you

Applies to you

EU/EEA Nationals

2695 EUR / year

≈ 2695 EUR / year

Living costs

Amsterdam

Netherlands

1000 - 1500 EUR / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for East European Studies (European Studies).

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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